Collapsible supporting device



Dec. 16, 1924. I 1,519,506

T. E. POWERS COLLAPSIBLE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 24, 1923 Patented Dec. 16, 1924.

IE STATES THOMAS EDWIN POWERS, 0F CLARINDA, IOIVA.

COLLAPSIBLE SUEIORTING DEVICE.

Application filed October 24, 1923. Serial No. 670,500.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS EDWIN Pownns, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Clarinda, in the county of Page and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Collapsible Supporting Device, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a collapsible supporting device of simple, durable and inexpensive construction, which is capable of a great variety of uses and which may be readily and easily placed in position for supporting a load, or collapsed so as to occupy a minimum of space for storage or transportation.

A further object is to provide in such a device simple and novel bracing structure for making a rigid support.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my device in position for use.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the under side of the same with the device collapsed.

Figure 3 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 1-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 shows a detail, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged, perspective view of the lower part of the device set up, parts being shown in section.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a slightly modified form of connection between the lower brace rod and the cross member between the legs.

In the drawings herewith, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally the supporting element which is at the top of the device when it is set up.

The supporting element 10 may be of any desired material, form or shape and is shown in the drawings in the form of a rectangular frame.

At each end of the frame, a pair of legs 11 is pivoted thereto. Preferably the legs 11 are pivoted to the end portions of the supporting element 10 on the inner sides thereof as shown for instance in Figure 1, in order to reduce the thickness of the collapsed device to a minimum.

The members of each pair of legs 11 are connected near their lower ends by a cross member 12.

I have shown in Figures 6 and 7 slightly modified forms of my invention.

In the form shown in Figure 1, I have shown a rod 13 pivoted to one member 12, and which when the device is set up, extends horizontally to position below the other member 12.

The rod 13 has in its upper surface a notch 14, as shown in Figure 3, to receive the lower partof the cross member 12 with which it coacts so that when the parts are held snugly together, the rod 13 will have no longitudinal movement and the legs will be held against movement longitudinally of the rod. I

The cross member 12 coacting with the free end of the rod 13 may have a flattened portion 15. as shown in Figure 3.

Connected to each of the end portions of the support 10 is a flexible member, such for instance as a chain 16, which when the device is set up is extended downwardly and inwardly and is secured to the rod 13 preferably midway between its ends.

The parts are so arranged that when the device is set up. the chains are taut and the resiliency of the parts is such that the rod 13 is held under tension with its free ends snugly engaging with the adjacent cross members 12.

The members 12 in the form of the device shown in Figure 1 may be inclined at their central portions slightly toward each other, ifdesired, as shown in the drawings, so that the legs 11 may be inclined slightly out wardly so as to give a firmer support and yet the length of the rod 13 may be such that when the device is collapsed, it may rest between the end portions of the supporting frame 10.

In Figure 2, I have shown the device collapsed. In collapsing the device, the end rod 13 is sprung and the legs 11 at the righthand side of the device are swung outwardly to allow the free end of the rod 13 to clear the adjacent cross member 12, whereupon the rod 13 is s ung up to its dotted line position shown in Figure 1, and thereafter the left-hand legs 11 are swung up between the side members of the frame support 10, and thereupon the right-hand legs 11 are swung up adjacent to the support 10.

At their upper ends, the right-hand legs 11 are bent outwardly slightly as at 11 to enable them to clear the cross member 12 between the other legs 11 when the device is folded and collapsed.

The rod 13 may be pivoted to one of the cross members 12 in any suitable way.

In Figure 4, I have shown one end of the rod 13 -provided with a loop or yoke 17 mounted on the adjacent end member 12 ina-n annular groove 18 formed therein.

In Figures 6 and 7,1 have shown -a slightly modified form of the invention in which are shown the cross members 12 corresponding to the cross members 12 already described. One of the cross members 12 has pivoted thereto a U-shaped yoke 19 in which the rod 13, corresponding to the rod 13 may slide.

The rod 13 has notches 1 1i at both ends for receiving the cross members 12 hen the form used in Figures 6 and '7 is employed, then when the device is collapsed, the rod 13 can be slid longitudinally with relation to the yoke 19, so that it will rest between the end port-ions of the frame 10.

I have found that with the construction herein shown a collapsible device can be made of very light weight and yet of great strength to support a heavy load. A table top can be placed on the device for use in a home or for camping purposes. The device can be used for hanging pans or other receptacles in a hospital. It can be used for supporting a baby basket. A plurality of the devices can be used as a support for paper hangers planks or the like or for light scaffolding or for supporting a inattress and frame for a bed.

The device can be-inverted and placed over a campers fire and pots and kettles hung from the rod 13.

It is thus obvious that a structure of this kind is capable of a great variety of uses and by the addition of a table top or the like the scope of its use can be greatly increased. 1

Any material suitable for the purpose can be employed, and Ihave shown the present device in the drawings simply as illustrative of a form in which it may be embodied.

The device may be made with fewer than four legs for some purposes without departing from the real spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a collapsible device of the class described, a supporting element, spaced legs pivoted thereto, cross members on said legs near their lower ends, a rod extended between and below said cross members having a loose connection with one cross memher and capable of pivotal movement with relation to the other and, flexible members connected with said element and with said rod near the middle thereof for holding the rod against said cross members under tension when the device is set up.

2. In a collapsible device of the class described, a supporting element, pairs of spaced legs pivoted at the ends thereof, cross members connecting the respective legs of each pair near their lower ends, a rod extended between and below said cross mem bers having a loose connection with one cross member and capable of pivotal movement with relation to the other and flexible members connected with the ends of said element and with said rod near tllOTIllCldle thereof for holding the rod against said cross members under tension when the device is set up;

'3. In a collapsible device of the class described, a supporting element, pairs of spaced legs pivoted at the ends thereof, cross members connecting the respective legs of each pair near their lower ends, a rod extended betweeniand below said cross members having a loose connection with one cross member and capable of pivotal movement with relation to the other, and flexi- THOMAS EDWIN POWERS. 

